If you’re looking for a Chicago Broker who’s actually dialed in, Tim Stine at Proper Rate (NMLS #2475526) is the real deal. I used Tim to buy my first home in Chicago, and I’m honestly not sure how people survive that process without someone like him in their corner.
From day one, Tim ran the process like a pro. No fluff, no vague promises, no disappearing act. He laid out the game plan clearly, told me what mattered, what didn’t, and what to do next. As a 1st time home buyer, I had a million questions and zero context. Tim never made me feel dumb for asking. He broke things down in plain English, made sure I understood the tradeoffs and kept me moving forward with confidence.
What stood out most was his speed and communication. Tim was always ahead of the timeline. When something needed my attention, I knew immediately. When I sent a question, I got a real answer fast. Not “let me check,” not radio silence, but actual direction. That matters a ton in Chicago where the market moves quick and you can lose a place because someone else’s lender drags their feet.
He also fought for the best structure and rate, not the easiest one. Tim walked me through options, explained how each one would hit monthly payment, cash to close, and long-term cost. You can tell he cares about doing it right, not just getting it done. That’s exactly what you want from a Chicago Broker: someone who treats your deal like it’s their own money on the line.
Tim stayed locked in through underwriting, appraisal, and the final sprint to close. Every time a curveball showed up, he handled it calmly and gave me a simple next step. By closing day, I wasn’t stressed, I was ready. That’s rare.
Bottom line: Tim Stine is who I’ll use next time, and who I’m recommending to anyone buying in the city. If you want a Chicago Broker who’s sharp, responsive, and genuinely on your team, call Tim at Proper Rate. He made my first home purchase in Chicago smooth, clear, and way less stressful than it had any right to be. Highly, highly recommend.
Response from Owner
Buying your first home is a big milestone, and I'm grateful I could help make the process feel clear and manageable. My goal is always to provide straightforward guidance, communicate proactively, and help clients understand every option so they can make confident decisions. Thank you for trusting me with your Chicago home purchase and for recognizing the work that goes into keeping everything on track from pre-approval through closing. It was a pleasure being part of your journey, and I appreciate you recommending me to others looking for a knowledgeable, responsive mortgage lender. Congratulations again on your new home, and I'm always here whenever you need me.
I have used Tim many times to help my clients buy homes, and he is a total pro. Highly recommended. He's a genuinely great person and pleasure to work with.
Response from Owner
Thank you for your continued trust and for recommending me to your clients. Building strong relationships with experienced Realtors is one of the most rewarding parts of what I do, and I'm committed to making every home purchase as smooth and stress-free as possible. I truly appreciate your confidence in me and the opportunity to be part of so many successful closings. Looking forward to helping many more clients achieve their homeownership goals together.
We had a great experience working with Tim! I was a first time homebuyer, and my husband's second. Tim answered all of our questions promptly and patiently. He guided us through an otherwise daunting process with kindness and knowledge. We highly recommend Tim and his team!
Response from Owner
Thank you for trusting me to help with such an important milestone. I'm so glad I could make the home buying process feel less overwhelming by providing clear answers and guidance every step of the way. Helping first-time homebuyers feel informed and confident is something my team and I take great pride in. It was a pleasure working with both of you, and we truly appreciate your recommendation. Congratulations again on your new home, and we're always here if you need us in the future.
We purchased our first home in June 2025 and were lucky to work with Tim Stine as our lender. He and his team were so helpful every step of the way and were always available to answer our questions. We would definitely recommend Tim Stine to anyone looking for a lender.
Response from Owner
Thank you for trusting my team and me with your first home purchase. It's an honor to help first-time homebuyers navigate the mortgage process with clear communication and support from start to finish. I'm grateful you recognized our commitment to being available whenever questions came up, because that's something we believe makes all the difference. Thank you for your recommendation, and congratulations again on your home. Wishing you many happy years there, and we're always here whenever you need us.
Very simple process, staff were always available I am very satisfied with my new place. Thank you very much guys.
Response from Owner
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience! I'm so glad the process felt simple and that my team was there whenever you needed us. Making the mortgage process smooth and stress-free is always our goal. Congratulations on your new home, and thank you for trusting us to help you get there. Wishing you all the best in this exciting new chapter!
Tim was fantastic when we purchased our first home earlier this year. He was knowledgable and helpful and worked to get us the best possible interest rate on the mortgage. The process was smooth and painless, and we were even able to complete it while traveling overseas. Tim was also always available via text for any questions or concerns we had. A fantastic agent who was fully on our side and made what could have been a complicated process incredibly easy and painless.
Response from Owner
Thank you for sharing your experience! Helping first-time homebuyers navigate the mortgage process with confidence is what my team and I strive for every day, and I'm glad we could make everything smooth, even while you were overseas. Clear communication, responsiveness, and finding the right mortgage solution are always top priorities. It was a pleasure helping you purchase your first home, and I truly appreciate your trust and recommendation. Congratulations again, and I'm always here if you need anything in the future.
I had an outstanding experience with Tim Stine! His team was incredibly knowledgeable, guiding me through every step of the mortgage process with clarity and patience. Communication was excellent they answered all my questions promptly and kept me informed throughout. Thanks to their expertise, I felt confident every step of the way. I highly recommend Tim Stine to anyone looking for a smooth and stress-free mortgage experience!
Response from Owner
Thank you for your thoughtful review and for trusting my team with your home financing. I'm grateful we could provide the guidance, communication, and support you needed to feel confident throughout the mortgage process. Helping clients understand every step and making the experience as smooth and stress-free as possible is always our goal. I truly appreciate your recommendation and the opportunity to be part of your homeownership journey. Wishing you all the best in your new home!
I don't even know how to properly articulate how incredibly helpful Tim and his colleagues were in our first time condo buying process. Tim took so much time, and continues to be by our side, to make sure we understood what we were getting ourselves into. We were incredibly anxious about even our closing, and Tim was there for that. I am a natural question asker, and he put up with all my questions, explained everything line by line. I genuinely appreciate you Tim. Thank you.
Response from Owner
Thank you for such a thoughtful review. Buying your first condo is a major milestone, and I'm grateful my team and I could help make the process feel less overwhelming by answering every question and walking through each step together. My goal is always to make sure clients feel informed, supported, and confident from the first conversation through closing and beyond. It was a privilege to be part of your journey, and I truly appreciate your trust and recommendation. Congratulations again on your new home!
I do not know if there are words to say how much I appreciate and was so grateful for Tim. He made this the best and easy experience in the home buying process. Tim is very communicative and explains everything so you understand what you are getting into. I would recommended to anyone who is in the home buying process to use him you will not be disappointed!!
Response from Owner
Thank you so much for your heartfelt review. I'm honored I could help make your home buying experience feel simple, clear, and enjoyable. Taking the time to explain every step and keeping clients informed throughout the mortgage process is something I truly believe in. Your recommendation means a great deal to me, and I appreciate the trust you placed in my team. Congratulations on your new home, and I wish you many happy years ahead!
I was interested in securing a loan to do a home renovation project. I really didn’t know what my options were, and frankly, I was confused. Tim Stine walked me through all of the available loans, and gave me very sage advice. Tim can break down these confusing structures and details into simple terms. Give him a call!
Response from Owner
Thank you for sharing your experience! I'm glad I could help simplify your financing options and provide the guidance you needed to make an informed decision. Whether it's purchasing a home or exploring renovation loan options, my goal is always to explain everything in clear, straightforward terms so clients feel confident moving forward. I truly appreciate your recommendation and the opportunity to help with your project. Please don't hesitate to reach out if I can help again in the future.
